Members of MU Extension Business & Communities programs were recognized Jan. 25 during an annual professional development conference for their accomplishments in the past year. We invite you to celebrate the accomplishments from around the state.
Business & Communities awards and recipients
Business & Communities Catalyst: Recognize B&C team members who responded to a significant need seen in the community.
- Doug Swanson, Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Business & Communities Creator: Recognize B&C team members who developed and delivered an innovative program in the last calendar year.
- Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University, their work assisting the creation/launch of the Innovate SOMO program
Business & Communities Convenor: Recognize B&C team members who bring Missourians together for exponential impact.
- David Burton, Good Neighbor Week
- Sarah Rielley, Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Business & Communities Collaborators: Recognize B&C team members who partnered with a colleague outside of their own impact area, resulting in an outstanding collaborative effort on behalf the state, a community, or a business.
- Dwayne T. James
- Lynette Watson
For their work leading equity, diversity, and inclusion change within MU Extension and the Missouri SBDC
Years of Service Recognition
- Doug Swanson, five years with MU Extension Labor & Workforce Development
- Kelly Asbury, five years with Missouri SBDC at State Fair Community College
- Lance Coffman, five years with Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University
- Colleen Mulvihill, five years with Missouri SBDC at St. Louis Economic Development Partnership
- Rebecca Gubbels, 10 years with Missouri SBDC at University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Charles Holland, 15 years with MU Extension Business & Communities Program
- Tracie Moore, 15 years with MU Extension Community Development
- Rebecca Lobina, 15 years with Missouri SBDC at Northwest Missouri State University
- Jana Weitkemper, 15 years with Missouri PTAC
- Willis Mushrush, 25 years with Missouri PTAC
- Lisa Robinson, 30 years with Missouri SBDC at Missouri Southern State University
Community Development awards & recipients
Belonging
- David Burton, Springfield
Contribution
- Tasnim Haq, St. Louis
Leadership
- Elizabeth Anderson, Linn
- Dwayne T. James, Kirkwood
Vitality
- Darla Campbell, Lancaster
Business Development awards & recipients
The programs included in the MU Extension Business Development Program (BDP) are the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC).
MU Extension BDP is unique that the impact of the programs mentioned above do not only come from Extension but partnerships and financial investments from other Missouri universities, colleges, and economic development organizations.
Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) - taacenter.org
- Survivor: Rebecca Nace
- Sassy: LaNesha Robinson
Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) - moptac.net (Soon to be called APEX Accelerators)
- Beyond the Call of Duty: Jaymie Mitchell, Missouri PTAC, St. Louis
- Beyond the Call of Duty: Allen Waldo, Missouri PTAC, Springfield
- New Kid on the Block: Jeff Rosenblatt, Missouri PTAC, Kansas City
Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – missourisbdc.org
Top Greatest Impact Generation: Capital Funding
- Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at SFCC, Sedalia
- Jill Hathaway, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
- Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau
- Sandra Smart, Missouri SBDC at MSU, Springfield
- Sally Williams, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
Top 5 Greatest Impact Generation: Business Starts
- Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at SFCC, Sedalia
- Lauren Carter, Missouri SBDC at LU, Jefferson City
- Cody Cox, Missouri SBDC at MSU, Springfield
- Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau
- Anastasia Tiedemann, Missouri SBDC in Northeast, Kirksville
Top 5 Highest Number of Counseling Hours
- Kelly Asbury, Missouri SBDC at SFCC, Sedalia
- Mark Christian, Missouri SBDC at Mizzou, Columbia
- Jill Hathaway, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
- Jakob Pallesen, Missouri SBDC at SEMO, Cape Girardeau
- Sandra Smart, Missouri SBDC at MSU, Springfield
Rookies of the Year: recognizes the achievements and professionalism of Missouri SBDC team members who are within their first two years.
- Maria Kuhns, Missouri SBDC at HREDC, Hannibal
Overall Performance Center Award: These centers use creative approaches to serve clients, build relationships with stakeholders, and work hard at enhancing the Missouri SBDC presence in their region.
- Missouri SBDC at Missouri Southern State University, Joplin
- Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University, Springfield
- Missouri SBDC at State Fair Community College, Sedalia
- Missouri SBDC at University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City
Training Champion: Someone who contributes to, and/or creates amazing training opportunities - either in quality, quantity, or both.
- Tara Horton, Missouri SBDC at MSU, Springfield
Wise One: someone the Missouri SBDC network turns to regularly for sound advice and thoughtful insights.
- Carmen DeHart, Missouri SBDC at UMKC, Kansas City
Unsung Hero: The person that makes the Missouri SBDC network go round.
- Sherry Noller, Missouri SBDC State Office, Webb City
Spirit of the SBDC: Someone who exemplifies & adheres by the Missouri SBDC Mission, Vision & Values.
- Sandra Smart, Missouri SBDC at MSU, Springfield